McEntee Calls on Congress to Act on Universal Health Care Legislation

May 18, 2007

McEntee testifies before the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee chaired by Rep. Frank Pallone Jr. (D-N.J.).

Photo Credit:

Jon Melegrito

“The crisis of the uninsured is a problem for everyone in America, and that includes the 1.4 million members of my union.” That’s what President McEntee told the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee, in an April hearing on the subject of universal health coverage. “A significant share of the premium paid by AFSCME members and their employers goes to offset the cost of uncompensated care,” McEntee added.

The hearing was held in conjunction with the observance of the annual “Week of the Uninsured,” which highlights the plight of 47 million Americans who are without health insurance. AFSCME’s president was among a panel of witnesses invited to testify.

In his remarks, McEntee cited the case of a home care attendant – AFSCME member Joanne Balmer of Ft. Madison, Iowa, who has no health coverage. “After having surgery, it took Joanne and her husband five years to pay off her hospital bill,” McEntee explained. “Now, they spend $400 per month for prescription medications. America’s working families demand relief from this crisis. This is both a moral and an economic imperative.”

In his closing statement, McEntee called for the reauthorization of a top AFSCME priority: the State Children’s Health Insurance Program. “It is crucial that the Congress build on the success of this program by allowing states to expand coverage to the millions of children who remain uninsured,” he said.

AFSCME is also endorsing the AmeriCare Health Care Act of 2007 (H.R. 1841), introduced this year by Rep. Pete Stark (D-Calif.).